Tom McKibbin admits it will 'certainly be fun' to enter weekend in Irish Open contention
Tom McKibbin admits it “will certainly be fun” heading into the weekend still in contention to win the Irish Open after shooting a three-under par 67 on Friday.
Newtownabbey native McKibbin sits six shots adrift of Shane Lowry, who set a new course record at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, Co Clare with his 62 on Friday which included nine birdies.
McKibbin battled through tough conditions throughout Thursday's opening round to preserve a solid position on the leaderboard and built further on his good work across Friday, firing in birdies at holes one, two, 10, 12 and 16.
The 23-year-old finished 20th at the Irish Open last year and was 30th in 2024, ending on two-over par for the tournament at Royal County Down in Newcastle.
McKibbin has only won one career title on the European Tour – the Porsche European Open in June 2023 – but is hoping to go close at his own National Open this weekend.
"Yeah, it's exciting," he said. “I sort of never really had a chance the last couple I played, so to go into the weekend there or thereabouts will certainly be fun.
"I feel like most of the holes you could get a birdie on (on Friday), but, it's still tricky.
"The wind, there's still wind there, and obviously it's not as warm as what we're used to playing, so the ball doesn't go quite as far.
"There's still a lot of calculations to make and sort of figure it out.
"t was much more enjoyable (on Friday compared to Thursday). It took about an hour less to play, not quite as stressful.
"I felt (on Thursday) that you could have a big number at literally any point of the round.
"Today you sort of knew that the holes were gettable and a number of holes that were kind of tricky but not as stressful as yesterday.
"It was nice to sort of take advantage of the start again and hold on for the rest of the round.”